googiemomma Stuffed Animal Chair {+ printable pattern pieces}

2013 November 12

My computer decided not to work last night – so you get Monday’s post on Tuesday today! Thank goodness it’s working now… (sign of relief!)

So. You have a ton of stuffed animals… and they are all over your house… what do you do? Put them in an S.A.C. – the S.tuffed A.nimal C.hair, it’s a genius idea that Shannon from googiemomma made and has a tutorial for. Hooray! In case you’ve seen this before, it is from 2011. Problem is I saw it BP (Before Pinterest) and bookmarked it – and forgot about it until my friend pinned it a while ago and reminded me how amazing it is. And… I had the perfect fabric (that I won, eek!) waiting on the shelf! I entered a Violette Field Threads contest this past May where Whimisical Fabric was giving away 8 yards of Riley Blake chevrons and dots in delicious colours… and all of a sudden it was mine. That never happens!

My youngest has a thing for green!

When I won the fabric I told Danielle from Whimsical Fabric that I would post whatever I came up with on Thread Riding Hood, and she offered to give me a discount code to share with all of you. And, as a bonus for you – since Shannon’s S.A.C. pattern does not come with a pattern piece, I volunteered to make one. And, I made it in two sizes because the first one I made is amazingly too big! (Imagine something so large it won’t hold all of your children’s stuffed animals.) I had to stuff one of our extra pillows and the unused (but still loved) nursing pillow in the top to fill it up for the photos!

Whimsical Fabric is just what the name says. I love the playful variety of fabrics that Danielle stocks. And she also has patterns, notions, packaging and clothing blanks – lots to use the discount on! Head over to Whimsical Fabric and use the discount code: TRH10% to get 10% off almost everything in the Whimsical Fabric shop from today until Wednesday, Nov 27th, 2013 at 12 midnight MT!You can even use it for most sale items. (Items that do not apply for the discount will state this in the description.)

I don’t think (if you have children) that I have to try to convince you to make one of these! My kids fully endorse ours and it’s super comfortable to sit on… I’ve tried it! Just don’t put anything too hard inside and you’ll be fine. We even have a mewing cat in there that sometimes goes off if you sit on it right and the kids think that’s hilarious. You can read Shannon’s very funny post about it for more information also, since that is where you will get the bulk of your instructions. On with the pattern pieces?

The large size pattern will get you a (roughly) 85″ around, 18″ high and 25″ across chair. The smaller size pattern will be aprox. 70″ around, 12″ high and 20″ across. Both of my kids like curling up on the large one, in fact they can both fit on it at once. And the smaller one is the perfect size for my youngest who is 3 1/2. As she states – “This fits my bum and legs perfectly.” How do they come up with this stuff?!

You will need:

Fabric – Assuming it is 42″ wide prewashed, see “Cutting Your Fabric” below for cutting layouts & more information. You will need more for nap and one-way fabrics.

I only made two changes to Shannon’s tutorial. The firstwas to add a pentagon shaped patch over where the points of the side pieces match up at the top. This is because I was in a hurry and didn’t take the time to line them up. The second was to adhere batting to the lining as I sewed it together. So the entire chair (except the zippered bottom) is lined with quilt batting. I found that the high loft cheapy polyester batting smooths out any bumpy edges and makes the chair smoother. Especially since I used quilting cotton. Shannon leaves a gap at the top of the lining for some stuffing – either way is great. I have included directions on how to do the optional changes below.

Before you begin:

Print all pages of the pattern piece pdf in the size you choose on letter size (8.5″ x 11″) or A4 paper. Important: Make sure scaling is set to ”None” or “Actual Size” when printing. Once you have printed the pages, measure the 1″ test square to ensure the pattern is the correct size.

Cut or fold the pages on the outer gray lines and tape/glue the pages together, matching the letters in the gray half-circles.

Optional Instruction: Add the Pentagon Patch - Do this after stitching together all of the outer outside pieces.(1) Cut 2 the tiny pentagons out of your fabric (see pattern pages). (2) Stitch them together right sides together. Leave an opening on one side for turning. (3) Turn the pentagon, folding under the opening edges and ironing the sides. (4) Line the straight edges of the patch up with each side of the outer outside pieces and pin generously. (5) Topstitch the patch. (6) Turn the outer pieces over and CAREFULLY! cut out the centre of the fabric that is under the patch.

Optional Instruction: Add Quilt Batting to the Lining - Do this when stitching the lining pieces together.(1) Cut 5 pieces of batting using the outside pattern piece. I used my cut fabric as a template. (2) Place tape over the open edges of your zig-zag foot. This prevents the batting from getting stuck in the points. (3) When stitching the lining together, place 1 batting piece on either side of the lining before stitching, and while it is right sides together. Like this: Batting, Lining pieces Right Sides Together, Batting. (4) Stitch together following the instructions, making sure to stitch each outer outside lining piece with a batting piece.

Here’s wishing you many happy stuffie-free days ahead – and a comfy spot for your kids to sit too! Please share your projects on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram – hashtag: #alongforthreadride so we can see them. I love to share my favorites too!

This is a great idea to store all those stuffed animals! Even with just one girl in the house , we have so much stuffed animals. (people tend to give girls much stuffed animals as a present, and not to boys) I’ve stored a part of them in a garbage bag. I think a S.A.C. is much better and nicer. When I can find the time and the fabric, I’ll make one.Mirjam recently posted… Op een laag pitje – On the back burner

This is brilliant! My mother would have loved to have one of these for all of my sister and my stuffed animals growing up. Now at least I’ll be prepared for my kids!Stacia recently posted… Tortuga’s Design: Brass Filigree Tear Drop

Hi Sherri. Great post. I might have to make these for my girls for Christmas. What a great idea. I did want to mention that you have a typo on the coupon code. It is good through the 27th, not the 17th, so it expires Wednesday, Nov. 27th.

Thanks for catching that Danielle! I have just fixed it. Sorry about that. I think it is correct on the sidebar button – thank goodness! My daughter’s birthday was the 17th, I guess that’s where it came from. Glad you like them. I’ve still got fabric left over and might make a third!

Hi Kate, No worries – So am I! I laid it out in my design software to figure it out If you make the large one you need 2 1/2 yds or metres EACH for the outer and lining, if you make the small one you need 1 2/3 yds or metres EACH for the outer and lining. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for asking All the best with your new little one! So exciting!

thank you!! your so sweet! i do have another question… we wanted to make it soft and cozy. like shannon’s. but i have NO clue what fabric that is OR where to purchase, if i could online! i took home ec in high school and made tons of blankets/projects, but this will be the first outside of high school and pregnancy brain is hitting hard!! Kate recently posted… #DADDYEDENTIME

Hi Kate – I’m not sure where you are located – but you could maybe try fabric.com? googiemomma’s fabric is fuzzy on one side and plain on the other – so it looks like some type of upholstery fabric. Not sure though. She may be able to tell you where she got it? Sorry not to be so much help on this one.

Hey lady! So I am finally attempting the SAC! And I too have pregnancy brain! Do I need to cut the lining smaller at the top like google momma,s if I am doing the batting option? And the battng gets attached to the lining right? Thanks!

Oh dear Tara! No worries. The lining is cut using the same pattern piece as the outside if you are going to add the quilt batting. You are right, the lining and quilt batting are attached together. Check out the instructions under the “Optional Instruction: Add Quilt Batting to the Lining” title above and hopefully that will help. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Oh Hooray Holly! I’m so glad you got to use the tape trick. I was so pleased when I figured that one out. It’s really a pain to sew though otherwise. And, good to know your grandson is happy. That’s the best! I love it when these tutorials are useful!

Thank you so much for the printable pattern pieces. I just wanted to say that for my lining I bought an unidirectional solid fabric and was able to cut everything out of 2 yards, this is for the large chair. If anyone would like a picture of the layout I would be happy to share, just email me at cassidymod@hotmail.com for a picture.

Thanks for asking Carol! You can use fleece, but it will be stretchy, so the shape will get a bit distorted and it might be a bit harder to sew (depending on the type of fleece you get). I’m not sure where you need a string? Let me know and I’ll get back to you right away!

Thanks Janet! We haven’t had any smushed stuffies over here, but I’m not sure. I suppose it might matter how much he was sitting on the chairs or how many animals were stuffed into it? Sorry I’m not more help on that!

Hi Lea Ann. The thickness of the Jersey might be an issue, if it is very thin it would not hold it’s shape well. If you add the batting in behind it it might be better – but would still look very lumpy, even if the Jersey is thicker. If you have cheap broadcloth or an old sheet you could back the jersey in that so it wouldn’t stretch – that would likely work the best. Hope that helps!

I’m just writing down the instructions on my pattern (because I’m a write-it-down person, rather than a print the instructions out person) and wondering: If I’m sewing batting on to my lining pieces, do I need to leave the opening in the right side outer piece when sewing it together? From what I’m visualising, the hole in the outer piece is only used to put stuffing in. I just want to make sure before I sew it so I don’t have to rip seams!

Hi Andrea! So glad you came to visit, glad you like it. Thanks so much To be honest, I don’t remember if I left the hole in the outer or not. I think I sewed it up – but left a hole somewhere (likely the lining?) so it could be turned right side out at the end. I’m pretty sure you are right about the outer opening, though. I’d go with that and hopefully you won’t need the ripper!

So, is it just me or is the diagram for how to cut out the larger size from one fabric wrong? I am working on cutting out my liner (after already doing the outer following the diagram) and I’m realizing that if I do the 2 bottom hex pieces that they won’t come out right. I just checked my previously cut outer pieces and am realizing that they both face the same way. Now I have to drive half an hour back to the store with the hopes that they have the same outer fabric still in stock. Thankfully I didn’t do that with my liner fabric since I bought the last of the bolt that was on clearance. Maybe the diagram should be updated. Just my opinion.

Oh no Erin, I am so sorry. I am going to update the diagrams and yardage requirements now. I apologize for your extra time and fabric, I feel so bad about this whole thing. Can I send you a copy of one of my patterns to try to make up for your trouble? Thank you so much for letting me know about it.

No problem Sherri! I don’t know how I missed it when cutting out the outer fabric. I made it work and cut the lining hex properly and used that as the outer for the bottom. The new liking will look a little different but it’s on the inside so it won’t really matter!

Maybe this is a dumb question, but when sewing the batting to the lining, shouldn’t the batting pieces be right sides together? So that when it is turned right side out, the batting will be on top of the lining and therefore in between the outer fabric and the lining? Please advise! I’m new to sewing projects, thanks so much!!! I can’t wait to finish this for my girls ☺️

Thanks for asking Ashley! Attaching the lining right-sides-together hides the seam allowance, so the raw lining/batting edges are hidden inside with the batting. Trust me It will work! Promise! Let me know if you have any other questions – your girls are going to love their chair

Hi Sherri! I know this is an old thread but I Love this idea! Thanks so much to you & Shannon for sharing. I see that you don’t recommend fleece or jersey. What kind of fabric is best for this project?

Generally I use quilting cotton, because it is cute and there are so many options! You could use pretty much any fabric that does not stretch, so long as it is not too thin (ie voile or lace) so it will stand up to your kids’!

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